PICS: Isinbayeva crashes, Sanchez dashes on day of upsets

Photos: Sanchez storms to 400m hurdles gold

Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic proved that age is no barrier to track success when he stormed to a second men's Olympic 400 metres hurdles gold medal on Monday, eight years after winning in Athens.

The 34-year-old, twice a world champion who was unbeaten in 43 successive races between 2001 and 2004, clocked 47.63 seconds to take victory.

Sanchez, running in reflective sunglasses from lane seven, made a strong start, ran a steady bend and had enough left in the tank in the home straight to hold off fast-closing American Michael Tinsley who secured silver in 47.91. Puerto Rico's Javier Culson (48.10), the fastest man this year, took bronze.

American Angelo Taylor, bidding for a third 400 hurdles gold after triumphs in Sydney and Beijing, was fifth, just behind world champion Dai Greene of Britain.

Image: Felix Sanchez of Dominican Republic celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the gold medalPhotographs: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Ostapchuk beats Adams for Olympic shot put gold

Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus won the women's shot put gold medal at the London Olympics on Monday, pushing New Zealand's Valerie Adams into second place.

The 31-year-old Ostapchuk, world champion in 2005, had the best mark of 21.36 meters on the third of her six attempts.

"It's my third Olympic Games and it's a long way to get to this gold medal," said Ostapchuk, who had notched the biggest shot put mark in a decade in the leadup to the Olympics. "This is to everyone" in Belarus.

Adams, who came to London as the defending Olympic, world, world indoor and Commonwealth champion and on a long winning streak, was New Zealand's biggest hope for Olympic gold. But she had to settle for silver with a best shot of 20.70.

Image: Belarus' Nadzeya Ostapchuk takes a throw in the women's shot put final during the athleticsPhotographs: Matt Dunham/AP